BSc single honours Chemistry for Drug Discovery with foundation year 2019/20

Year of entry

2019/20

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There is a shortage of high quality applicants for industry jobs in chemistry and in engineering. Designed with input from industry, the Chemistry Foundation will prepare you for higher education in these areas.

You will study the basic theoretical principles of the physical sciences, gaining extensive hands-on practical experience in the laboratory, and will develop the essential mathematical and interpersonal skills necessary for your future in higher education.

The Chemistry Foundation will build your skills and science specific knowledge, with key transferable skills integrated throughout the modules and a focus on applications of knowledge. You will be taught in a supportive, friendly and encouraging environment, learning key concepts in chemistry, general science skills and mathematics. You will then undertake more in depth study of chemistry whilst learning key aspects of biology and physics. You will also undertake a small research project as part of your studies.

Chemistry for Drug Discovery represents a modern degree course that draws from both biochemistry and chemistry and focusses on the development of drugs and pharmaceutical products at both a research and production level. This critical area of the sciences is at the core of the rapidly expanding healthcare sector, making it an excellent choice for those wishing to pursue a career in scientific research or in industry.

The course at the university offers students the opportunity to receive expert research-informed and involved teaching in a variety of core topics specifically relevant to industry. You will learn how to apply a theoretical scientific knowledge base to active research areas that address contemporary challenges and will develop your practical skills by undertaking a significant amount of laboratory work.

Your course will take a practical, project-based approach to teaching and learning based on the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate) engineering education approach that is key to the wider set of engineering programmes at CCCU. This approach will provide an immersive learning experience that will develop your ability to consider and apply your abilities and employability skills whilst taking a holistic approach to the project lifecycle.

You will be taught by staff that have been recognised for their delivery of high quality teaching through a Team Award in the University Teaching and Excellence award scheme. The course will also include guest lectures and seminars delivered by industry professionals. Undertaking practical and project work at one of the University’s Industry Liaison Labs, you will also work alongside a number of industrial collaborators at the forefront of scientific research.

On this course you will combine chemistry and biochemistry in your studies. You will benefit from substantial laboratory experience at all years, with two thirds of your time at level 0 and level 4 spent in laboratories. You will contribute to real industry-linked research at multiple points in the programme in both individual and group projects, and will have the opportunity to work alongside our research groups. There is also the opportunity to undertake a placement as part of your studies.

At level 0 you will study the core sciences of biology, chemistry and physics as well as study skills. This will develop your fundamental knowledge and understanding and will equip you with the skills required for subsequent study. Completion of level 0 is essential in order to progress to level 4.

At level 4 you will study core subjects including chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics and computing. These provide a firm grounding in scientific knowledge and laboratory skills in addition to analytical skills. You will also engage with a real research problem provided by local industry in a large project that is based on the Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate (CDIO) engineering education approach.

At level 5 you will deepen your knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology. You will study organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry. In addition, there is an optional work placement module that will enable you to gain valuable work experience within a relevant employment sector. You will again undertake a CDIO-based project that will address a question of interest and relevance to industry. This project will allow you to apply your knowledge and to develop as a scientist.

At level 6 you will demonstrate scientific competence and independence by devising and undertaking a piece of novel research which will be presented as a fully referenced scientific paper and in the form of an oral presentation of a poster. You will also learn about bioinorganic and metal coordination chemistry, whilst also extending your applied chemistry skills.

During the course, you will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Added Value Programme’ enabling further specialist training supplementary to course material in order to meet your specific individual interests and career aspirations. Furthermore, there are a number of opportunities to gain work experience through summer internship programmes either within research laboratories supervised by members of staff at the university or in collaboration with industrial partners at the Industry Liaison Labs at Discovery Park.

Did you know? You will benefit from our industrial collaborations and links to global industry through a new and innovative Industry Liaison Labs based at Discovery Park, Sandwich.

Fundamentals of Biology (20 credits)

This module aims to aims to introduce you to the central principles of biology, namely the basic structure, function and variety of living organisms. It also aims to give students the basic transferable skills needed to understand scientific reasoning and to undertake scientific investigations.

General Science Skills (20 credits)

The course aims to give you the basic transferable skills needed to understand scientific reasoning, to undertake scientific investigations and to effectively communicate scientific ideas and outcomes

Maths for Scientists (20 credits)

This module aims to develop the mathematical skills relevant to you in chemical engineering and other sciences. The module will review basic mathematical skills before covering more advanced mathematical topics to equip students with the necessary skills to solve problems in these areas.

Fundamentals of Physics (20 credits)

The aim of this module is to introduce the basic concepts underpinning physics. Students will develop an understanding of how physical laws are used to describe natural phenomena and how they may be applied to gain a deeper knowledge of particular systems and processes. This module prepares students for further study in more advanced physical and natural science modules.

Advancing Chemistry (20 credits)

This module aims to build on the knowledge acquired in Introduction to Chemistry and to explore different fields within the subject of chemistry (physical chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and environmental chemistry). The module will also further develop students’ laboratory skills.

Year 1

Introduction to Physical Chemistry and Thermodynamics (20 credits)

This module will provide you with an understanding about basic chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, which are key questions as to whether a chemical reaction is likely to occur or not and its rate.

Advanced General Chemistry (20 credits)

This module builds upon the topics first encountered in the Fundamental Chemistry Theory and Practical module, developing knowledge in physical, inorganic and organic chemistry as well as developing further key laboratory skills.

Fundamental Chemistry Theory and Practical (20 credits)

This module introduces chemistry as a subject and covers key chemical concepts such as: atomic structure, chemical nomenclature, bonding, stoichiometry, acid-base reactions, redox reactions and introduction to organic chemistry. In addition, the large practical content of this module will also develop basic chemistry laboratory skills

Mathematics and Computing (20 credits)

This module is designed to provide students with the mathematics knowledge and skills required for a successful transition to degree-level study in disciplines related to the chemical and biological sciences as well as to develop the techniques necessary to handle quantitative data analysis. Central to the first aim will be introducing the powerful statistical programming language, R, which is critical to current approaches to handling/analysing data. This module will enable students to become comfortable with the console-based software and to use it for their statistical and data display needs.

Topics in Drug Discovery (20 credits)

The module aims to develop an overview of the fundamental topics within the drug discovery and development process. It will provide you with a working knowledge of the development, approval, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products and will form the basis for more advanced study in future modules.

Year 2

Inorganic and Organic Chemistry (20 credits)

This module builds upon the Level 4 chemistry modules exploring those topics in greater depth. The inorganic chemistry component will examine both main group and transition metal chemistry while the organic chemistry component will cover the synthesis, structure and reactive mechanisms found in carbon-based compounds.

Advanced Enzymology and Kinetics (20 credits)

This module explores enzymes and enzyme function, inihibtion and regulation in detail. Topics include reaction steady state, enzyme inhibition, autoassociation, allosteric regulation and the application of enzymes in an industrial setting.

Analytical Chemistry (20 credits)

This module aims to familiarise you with up-to-date techniques used to identify and understand physical and chemical properties of matter. Analytical techniques covered will include gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, atomic absorption/emission spectroscopy and ion chromatography.

Advanced Topics in Drug Discovery (20 credits)

Building upon the Level 4 module: Topics in Drug Discovery, this module covers in greater detail key pharmaceutical topics such as structure activity relationships and pharmacokinetics . In addition to the subject-specific learning and practical skills obtained, the project-based format of this module encourages teamwork, group problem solving and the development of desirable professional skills and attributes.

Year 3

Applied Biological Chemistry (20 credits)

This module builds upon the level 5 analytical chemistry module by aiming to familiarise students with up-to-date techniques used to purify and characterise biomolecules (including DNA, lipids, secondary metabolites, proteins, carbohydrates), giving the student valuable hands-on experience alongside the fundamentals of the analytical sciences.

Bioinorganic and Metal Coordinate Chemistry (20 credits)

This module investigates the chemistry of transition metals and the use of metal complexes in biology. Topics include transition metal chemistry, chelation and the syntheses of polydentate ligands, the wide-ranging roles of metal-containing proteins in key biological processes, the stabilization of unusual metal oxidation states and the use of metal complexes in medicine.

Advanced Drug Discovery, Past, Present and Future (20 credits)

Building upon concepts and topics introduced at level 4 and 5, this module discusses how the drug discovery processes has changed since the first commercial drugs and how this process is changing again in the to be able to develop and deliver effective drugs and therapies in future.

Major Therapeutic Areas (20 credits)

This module examines several key therapeutic areas for which there is, or projected to be, a demand for the development of new drugs and therapies. The molecular and biological causes of each area will be discussed together with the associated social and medical challenges faced by society and the pharmaceutical industry respectively.

Advanced Synthesis with Pharmaceutical Applications (20 credits)

This module covers the synthesis of a selection of natural products and pharmaceuticals using synthetic organic chemistry. Each of the chemicals synthesized will demonstrate a certain concept, which will be explained and illustrated in the synthesis example. The examples used will include currently available drugs such as HIV protease inhibitors and statins.

Likely optional modules

Year 2

Molecular Biology (20 credits)

This module will build upon the fundamental knowledge gained during the level 4 modules to provide an in depth perspective of the theory, practical and commercial applications of molecular biology. The practical emphasis of this module permits students to develop a range of fundamental molecular biology techniques which are not only essential for studying biomolecules within a laboratory research setting, but also highly desirable for future employability.

Placement Module (20 credits)

This module provides students with the opportunity to develop key skills and experience while working in a commercial environment. You will develop critical reflection skills as they review their own competencies and development requirements.

This course has been designed with input from industry and to meet a skills gap in industry for graduates with extensive industry-relevant lab experience in the chemical sciences. Graduates from our other science programmes go on to careers in industry, research, teaching and wider areas of the science sector.

This course has a broad first year, and includes an emphasis on problem-based learning, using approaches based on MIT’s Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) method. There is lots of ‘hands on’ work with real projects, input from industrial experts and delivery by staff actively engaged with industry.

The emphasis of the course is on developing independent learners and learning by student experimentation and observation. At foundation level and level 4 two thirds of each module is delivered as practical experimentation either in laboratories, IT labs or in the field. These sessions are supplemented by lectures, and seminars/workshops in which students feedback from their structured independent study.

By level 5, laboratory and field based experimentation is complemented by analysis of published research and at level 6 the emphasis is on learning being driven by student led workshops discussing published research papers. All teaching material is posted on the internal VLE Blackboard. Learning is supplemented at all levels by tutorial sessions with an individual personal tutor and small group seminars (I2 sessions) which are requested by students to address specific topics.

Each 20 credit module requires 200 hours of study which comprises of formal contact (lectures, practicals, tutorials, workshops), structured independent learning (prescribed reading and/or online exercises) and independent learning. Each module at foundation level and level 4 has 60 hours of formal contact, supplemented with 40 hours of structured independent learning. As students develop and become more independent formal contact and structured learning reduces to 50 hours of contact and 30 hours of structured independent learning at level5, and 40 hours of contact and 20 hours of structured independent learning at level 6.

This course is associated with the Life Sciences Industry Liaison Labs at Discovery Park, Sandwich. Laboratory sessions will be undertaken at these sites and the location of these specialist facilities with industry facilitates access to and collaboration with them.

The Life Sciences Industry Liaison Labs works with many companies in healthcare research and development, drug discovery and equipment design and manufacture.

Steve Trim, CEO, Venomtech:

“Venomtech have been very impressed with our partners at Canterbury Christ Church University, this partnership has enabled us to progress projects much faster than we could on our own. This includes being able to generate novel data on the use of our products through student projects, advancing research into new antibiotics and cancer therapies from venoms and increasing the understanding of invertebrate welfare. Generation of this proof of concept data has, and continues to have, a positive influence with our potential customers and therefore our business. I also impart my 10+ years industrial drug discovery experience directly to the students as part of the Drug Discovery and Development module.

As a science employer in the area, Venomtech benefit greatly from being directly involved in the curriculum to make sure the new graduates have the skills useful to employers. This includes an understanding of applied drug discovery that will make CCCU graduates stand out from others in job interviews.”

Adrian Herron, Tetrad Discovery Ltd:

"Working with the Lab has been incredibly valuable as their approach is different to that of other Universities we have worked with and this has really helped us progress our business."